Patch Poll: Will New Law Make You Less Likely to Text Behind the Wheel?

If you're driving somewhere today, don't even think about texting while on the road.

Pennsylvania's took effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and makes texting while driving a primary offense — and one that carries a $50 fine.

This means police may pull you over for sending a text, emailing or instant messaging from your phone and similar devices.

"Your most important job when behind the wheel is to focus only on driving. Most people would never close their eyes for five seconds while driving, but that's how long you take your eyes off the road, or even longer, every time you send or read a text message," PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch said in a news release. "It's not just your own life you're risking; it's the lives and safety of every motorist around you."

The new law:

• Makes it a primary offense to use an Interactive Wireless Communication Device to send, read or write a text-based message.
• Defines an IWCD as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, smartphone, portable or mobile computer or similar devices that can be used for texting, instant messaging, emailing or browsing the Internet.
• Defines a text-based message as a text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on an IWCD.
• Institutes a $50 fine for convictions.
• Makes clear that this law supersedes and preempts any local ordinances restricting the use of interactive wireless devices by drivers.

"This is a serious problem, and we are hoping that we can educate citizens on the dangers of texting while driving and prevent future accidents," said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan. "Our troopers will attempt to use observations of the driver while the vehicle is in motion to determine if traffic stops are warranted. An example might be the motorist continues to manipulate the device over an extended distance with no apparent voice communication.

"Ultimately, we hope that our enforcement efforts will create voluntary compliance by the majority of motorists."

In 2010, there were nearly 14,000 crashes in Pennsylvania in which distracted driving played a role; 68 people died in those crashes.

Learn more online at www.dot.state.pa.us and choose "Anti-TextingLaw."

We want to know what you think about the new law. Will it make people give up texting behind the wheel? Answer our Patch Poll or leave your opinion in the comment section.

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